This is Bruce, my husband, doing his old job.... as a locomotive engineer. Thirty eight years passed by, although it felt slow at the time! Those days and weeks do end up reaching a goal eventually. He did work at another job in a different field for approximately ten years and is now fully retired. He has a birthday with a zero in it later this month and it gives you a pause to think on it. I know, I have my own 'zero' coming up too in March. He keeps busy on line doing consignment sales for people downsizing their model railway hobby (or expanding it) and he also keeps a blog where he write his (98% true) railway stories. Its been a while since he last wrote but several people, including me, are nudging him back to the keyboard.
He's a wonderful supporter of my weaving endeavours, and also an invaluable help in the studio and lends a hand when it comes to beaming a warp. I get everything all set up and ready. Then he winds the back beam and I tension and detangle. We usually have a good chat about what ever is going on, or listen to some music and sing along.
We use brown wrapping paper as our separator (which we buy at the post office as it seems to be the right size, price and is sturdy). It gets to be a 'personal challenge' to see if he can get the paper on and keep it winding straight. Many of you might know how frustrating it is to have it going off wildly off track. I would cut it off, fold the edge over to straighten and carry on. Bruce got creative!
He noticed I had a length of half inch PVC pipe which I normally use to hang up and dry shawls over standing in a container.
He placed the PVC rod through the centre of the roll of paper and then nudged it back against the edges of the down treadles. He has the leading edge folded perfectly straight and uses the apron rods to line up and we start to beam.
Bruce uses his feet and toes to gently tension the rod and the paper slides off under control and no wandering! He's such a clever clogs! We decided to take photographs and show the technique to you. This was 100% his idea and I must say it really works. No fighting with the paper and the six and a half yard warp went on very quick.
So what was that warp you say? Have a peek.....
5 comments:
Sounds like the perfect companion!
What a great idea Bruce! Having the paper run off at a weird angle is an ongoing problem with me, so I'm going to have to give this a try.
Hi Susan and Bruce - What an interesting post; I remember reading a couple of Bruce's stories and they were very interesting - hopefully, he will post more. I love his idea on how to keep the paper in order. I never used paper, 95% of my warps are put on with a sectional warp beam, so I don't have to use sticks or paper - thank goodness. I am sure Bruce knows how helpful he is with the winding on of warps.
Interesting all three of us have that "0" arriving this year ....... I don't mind, though I must admit I can't quite believe it. As Maggie Muggins would say, "I wonder what tomorrow will bring". Weaverly yours ........ Barbara
Does Bruce hire out his talents??? I am back to using paper after having to abandon "Honey" and the wonderful sectional beams Charles made for her. I was going through pictures the other day and came across one of you and Bruce taken the day we came to pick up that lovely loom....that was some time ago and these birthdays do sneak up on us. I had an O last year, and a 1 this year - my decades well ahead of yours.
Smart boy!
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